Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies

University of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Colorado Denver seeks an Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies to provide university-wide leadership for graduate education, shaping strategy to strengthen quality, competitiveness, growth, and student success. Reporting to the Provost, this senior academic leader will run the Office of Graduate Studies and collaborate with faculty, deans, and administrative leaders.

In CU Denver’s decentralized model, the AVC will coordinate policies, program quality, enrollment,

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
• Eight (8) or more years of experience in graduate education leadership.
• Demonstrated understanding of graduate education policy and governance.
• Experience navigating complex, decentralized university environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the university-wide strategy for graduate education and enrollments.
• Oversee the Office of Graduate Studies and coordinate with deans and administrators.
• Develop policies ensuring consistency while allowing program flexibility.
• Advance funding, fellowships, and tuition remission for graduate students.

Skills

Leadership through influence

Faculty governance

Strategic thinking

Policy translation

Education

Doctorate degree

Job description

• Position Details University of Colorado | Denver Official Title: Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies Working Title: Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies FTE: Full-time Salary Range: $180,000 – $205,000 Position #00848215 – Requisition #40991
• Open to CU Denver employees only***

• Position Details University of Colorado | Denver Official Title: Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies Working Title: Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies FTE: Full-time Salary Range: $180,000 – $205,000 Position #00848215 – Requisition #40991
• Open to CU Denver employees only***

About The University Of Colorado Denver

Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies provides university-wide leadership for graduate education at the University of Colorado Denver, shaping and advancing institutional strategy to strengthen the quality, competitiveness, growth, and impact of graduate programs and the success of graduate students. Reporting directly to the Provost, the Associate Vice Chancellor serves as the university’s senior academic leader for graduate education and leads the Office of Graduate Studies, working in partnership with deans, faculty, Graduate Council, and academic and administrative leaders across the university.

In CU Denver’s decentralized graduate education model, the Associate Vice Chancellor provides the institutional leadership and coordination necessary to advance a coherent graduate education agenda while respecting the disciplinary expertise and academic authority of the schools and colleges. The position provides strategic leadership for graduate education policy, program quality and innovation, graduate enrollment and student success, graduate student support and funding, and the integration of graduate education with the university’s research and academic priorities. The Associate Vice Chancellor also serves as a senior advisor to the Provost on emerging opportunities, challenges, and investments affecting graduate education and works across the university to translate institutional priorities into effective policies, practices, and outcomes.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies

What you will do

Graduate Education Strategy and Institutional Leadership

Lead the university-wide vision and strategy for graduate education; advise the Provost and Chancellor; establish priorities, metrics, and accountability for graduate enrollment, quality, student success, research integration, and institutional competitiveness.

Ensure that policies provide institution-wide consistency while explicitly allowing programs flexibility to define discipline appropriate standards, as recommended by the Working Group.

Lead regular review and revision of policies to ensure clarity, compliance, and alignment with best practices in graduate education.

Graduate Program Portfolio and Innovation

Lead strategies for development, review, redesign, growth, differentiation, and discontinuation of graduate programs; foster interdisciplinary and innovative graduate education responsive to student demand, workforce needs, research strengths, and institutional priorities.

Graduate Enrollment, Recruitment, and Student Success

Partner with academic units and Enrollment Management to advance graduate recruitment, enrollment, retention, completion, student support, mentoring, professional development, career outcomes, and graduate student well-being.

Graduate Research and Funding

Partner with Research leadership and academic deans to strengthen graduate research training, fellowships, assistantships, external funding, and interdisciplinary scholarship. Strategize and coordinate policy alignment among academic units, HR, and finance to ensure equitable, transparent, and sustainable graduate employment practices. Oversee financial strategy and resource allocation for graduate education initiatives, including tuition remission and programmatic investments.

Graduate Education Resources and External Partnerships

Provide strategic leadership for graduate financial support, tuition remission, assistantships, fellowships, partnerships, and external resources; collaborate with Advancement, government, industry, and other partners to strengthen graduate education.

Qualifications You Already Possess (Minimum Qualifications)

• CU Denver Employee
• Earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
• Eight (8) or more years of experience in graduate education leadership, such as graduate program director, associate dean, department chair, or comparable administrative role.
• Demonstrated understanding of:
• Graduate education policy and governance
• Faculty led academic cultures
• Complex, decentralized university environments
• Evidence of strong collaboration, communication, and consensus building skills.

Preferred Qualification To Possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience working at a public R1 or urban research university.
• Familiarity with Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) best practices.
• Experience implementing or managing graduate student funding, assistantships, or tuition remission policies.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change during periods of transition.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Comfort leading through influence rather than direct authority
• Commitment to faculty shared governance
• Ability to balance consistency with flexibility
• Skill in translating recommendations into sustainable operations
• Conditions of Employment
• Position is a three year appointment that is subject to review prior to renewal
• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.
• Position is a three year appointment that is subject to review prior to renewal.

Mental, Physical, And/or Environmental Requirements

• INTERPERSONAL SKILLS/BEHAVIORS - Dealing with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors in a tactful, congenial, personal manner so as not to alienate or antagonize them COMMUNICATING - Talking with and/or listening to and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions.
• NEGOTIATING - Exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at decisions, conclusions, solutions, or solve disputes.
• SEDENTARY - Exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Employment Sponsorship

Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $180,000 – $205,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline

Open to CU Denver employees only- Application deadline September 21, 2026.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We’re committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail] .

Background Check Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.